Advice on d2 for restoration

$4,000 AU sounds like a lot for that machine, but then I have no idea about your local market. You will thank yourself for for checking out the unit thoroughly, and any other available as well before jumping in upside-down.

$4,000 AU sounds like a lot for that machine, but then I have no idea about your local market. You will thank yourself for for checking out the unit thoroughly, and any other available as well before jumping in upside-down.

I'd agree, the price seems a bit high to me too. On the plus side, it looks to have a good undercarriage with quite a bit of adjustment left for the tracks. Also, all the sheet metal looks to be in good shape with no bad dings that I could see. According to what I could find, it seems to be a '52 or '53 model narrow gauge.

No s/n on the tranny? Look carefully at the left rear of the tranny case. .if the tag is missing, look for either what's left of 4 small rivets or 4 small holes. Cat usually stamped the s/n there before they put the tag on.

Brake pedal wear is a fair indication of hours. . from the looks of the one shown, I'd say it's got more than 530 hours.

Stuck steering clutches on the D2's seems to be quite common. .and the fix can be a real pain. Sometimes they can be broken loose but I wouldn't try to make book on it😆

The blade, I have no idea. Looks to be a fairly well shop built one. Same with the hydraulic tank but it does have a front mounted pump. .all to the good there.

I'm not so sure I wouldn't keep looking, mainly 'cuz of the price and steering clutches (not to mention it didn't run). If the seller would/could get it running and cut the price in half. . .I think I'd consider it.

I'm following the crowd here. Seems a bit much to pay for a D2 in that condition here in the USA but maybe not for down under. I would definitely keep looking. If the steering clutches have been open to the weather for any length of time I'd run away.

I just put new steering clutches, brakes, bearings and seals in two identical D2's here in Australia that had stuck steering clutches, and it took 2 of us about 7 days straight working 11 hour days, and my offsider was one of Australia's best Cat. Mechanics, I used secondhand brake drums, but all new genuine Cat. or General Gear parts elsewhere like bearings, seals and gaskets, so figure around $3,000 just for your parts, then add your labor bill if you are paying a Cat. Dealer $120 a hour, or even a local Bush Mechanic $60 a hour it soon adds up and that's without touching the gearbox, motors, cooling system or undercarriage.

My advice is ask him to get both the pilot motor and main motor running, and get him to then drive the tractor for a hour or more pushing dirt with that blade, to see if the steering clutches pop loose, which they have been known to do on the odd occasion, if they do then $4,000 is a fair price in Tasmania, however, if he can't get the pilot motor running well in front of you, meaning it starts second or third pull and runs well without blowing smoke everywhere, and he is unable to get the steering clutches free, then I'd value that tractor at no more than $1,500 in Tasmania or the mainland, because if you wait a little longer a good one will come along for $4,000, that does everything it should. Once you split a old D2 Cat to repair something major like steering clutches, both time and money fly out the window, trust me, I know.
regards
Mike

#1 Running engines
#2 Good clutches
#3 Good Undercarriage (5U)
#4 Original Cat Pump and blade (44 pump, toolbar, straight or angel) - not Holt or aftermarket.
#5 Reasonable price

These are "nice to have" options.
- Late model (post 13236) - greasable clutch bearings, above fender fuel tank, bent sticks, better dash.
- Over sized solid idlers - The spoke idlers tend to break and are becoming hard to find.
- PTO
- Lights
- Rear hydraulics
- Street shoes or rubber pads

Any time you tear them down, there are a million little things like gaskets, bearings, brake pads etc, that eat up time and money. Not to mention the big things like clutches, and engine parts.

I guess this is my way of letting you know what is out there, and also telling you that you should get a machine that you really love and want to finish. That is what keeps you moving forward when you have them in a million pieces with no end in sight.

FWIW 😊

Jamie

I just put new steering clutches, brakes, bearings and seals in two identical D2's here in Australia that had stuck steering clutches, and it took 2 of us about 7 days straight working 11 hour days, and my offsider was one of Australia's best Cat. Mechanics, I used secondhand brake drums, but all new genuine Cat. or General Gear parts elsewhere like bearings, seals and gaskets, so figure around $3,000 just for your parts, then add your labor bill if you are paying a Cat. Dealer $120 a hour, or even a local Bush Mechanic $60 a hour it soon adds up and that's without touching the gearbox, motors, cooling system or undercarriage.

My advice is ask him to get both the pilot motor and main motor running, and get him to then drive the tractor for a hour or more pushing dirt with that blade, to see if the steering clutches pop loose, which they have been known to do on the odd occasion, if they do then $4,000 is a fair price in Tasmania, however, if he can't get the pilot motor running well in front of you, meaning it starts second or third pull and runs well without blowing smoke everywhere, and he is unable to get the steering clutches free, then I'd value that tractor at no more than $1,500 in Tasmania or the mainland, because if you wait a little longer a good one will come along for $4,000, that does everything it should. Once you split a old D2 Cat to repair something major like steering clutches, both time and money fly out the window, trust me, I know.
regards
Mike

[quote="Mike Meyer"]I just put new steering clutches, brakes, bearings and seals in two identical D2's here in Australia that had stuck steering clutches, and it took 2 of us about 7 days straight working 11 hour days, and my offsider was one of Australia's best Cat. Mechanics, I used secondhand brake drums, but all new genuine Cat. or General Gear parts elsewhere like bearings, seals and gaskets, so figure around $3,000 just for your parts, then add your labor bill if you are paying a Cat. Dealer $120 a hour, or even a local Bush Mechanic $60 a hour it soon adds up and that's without touching the gearbox, motors, cooling system or undercarriage.

My advice is ask him to get both the pilot motor and main motor running, and get him to then drive the tractor for a hour or more pushing dirt with that blade, to see if the steering clutches pop loose, which they have been known to do on the odd occasion, if they do then $4,000 is a fair price in Tasmania, however, if he can't get the pilot motor running well in front of you, meaning it starts second or third pull and runs well without blowing smoke everywhere, and he is unable to get the steering clutches free, then I'd value that tractor at no more than $1,500 in Tasmania or the mainland, because if you wait a little longer a good one will come along for $4,000, that does everything it should. Once you split a old D2 Cat to repair something major like steering clutches, both time and money fly out the window, trust me, I know.
regards
Mike[/quote]

would you say $3000 for parts for both clutches or would that be each? spoke to the guy last week and he hadn't had a chance to try to start it again but ill keep onto him! spoke to a local mechanic last week too and the blade is off a international td6. Would this lessen the value of the machine in a restored state since it is not genuine?

$2,000-$2,500 for parts for both steering clutches should cover it assuming your pinion, bull gears, cross shaft and crown wheel is OK, that's using genuine Cat bearings, seals and gaskets, plus new clutch plates and springs from General Gear, if you need new brake drums and clutch hubs add $1,500 roughly. It will take a week just to do the steering clutches and brakes if the blade is off, so add $1,600 to $4,000 for labor, depending on if you have a good Bush Mechanic handy at $30 - $40 a hour, or you have to pay your Cat. Dealer $120 a hour. You will need special pullers for this job, and it can take longer than mine did if you find more problems like shot bearings in the gearbox. Don't be fooled, the D2 might only be a little crawler, but repairing steering clutches is one of the more challenging jobs on a Cat because the tractor has to be split.

The wrong blade definitely detracts the value, just remember those D2's are everywhere, they are not rare, so if I lived in the USA I'd just wait a month because 2 or 3 good ones will show up in your price range.
regards
Mike